Re: DDS Support

["R. Bruce Hoffman, Jr." <rbruceh@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

-----Original Message-----
From: booth@martinvt.com <booth@martinvt.com>
To: MIDRANGE-L@midrange.com <MIDRANGE-L@midrange.com>
Date: Tuesday, July 11, 2000 10:42 PM
Subject: Re: DDS Support


>The issue that is being ignored is the issue of brand name and product
>differentiation.  IBM had no desire to make their platforms mere
>commodities.  That is not IBM's tradition nor is it a very successful
>business model.  Suggesting that IBM's computer architecture is going to
>meld into the vast PC hardware landscape is just a conjecture serving no
>real purpose.

Really? What happened to the 36? Swallowed by a different hardware platform.
Is the RS/6000 still micro-channel based?  PCs?  What chip runs the 400?
What chip runs the RS/6000? Can you get it in a PC style package?

As for purpose, I was simply pointing out how my opinions about IBM's
directions and changes of direction were formed when it comes to tools for
software development.

>The question really becomes "How does IBM intend to
>differentiate their product?"  In my opinion IBM needs to explain that
>early and often or we will be forced to the only remaining choice of
>'who's cheapest today?'
>

No, I think it is "what product, hardware or software?" and the software
probably will win. Hardware prices continue to drop (and while the 400
drops, it does not keep pace with other hardware options) and the hardware
margins are getting squeezed.  This will continue.  IBM's question is what
platform can run all of our software.  That _may_ be the 400, but in the
end, it won't be the 400 anymore and will most likely have a different name.

Change happens and again, if all you know is RPG, you probably will be road
kill. Maybe not tomorrow, maybe not this year, but sometime. And note that
this is not just the IT industry, programming and languages. This is true
for (probably) all industries outside of farming and carpentry.


===========================================================
R. Bruce Hoffman, Jr.
 -- IBM Certified AS/400 Professional System Administrator
 -- IBM Certified AS/400 Professional Network Administrator
 -- IBM Certified Specialist - AS/400 Administrator
 -- IBM Certified Specialist - RPG IV Developer

"Those who would give up essential Liberty,
  to purchase a little temporary Safety,
  deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."

     - The Papers of Ben Franklin


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